Manager, Risk Management - Legal

Risk Manager

Oversee the county's risk management, safety, insurance, and claims programs. This position identifies, evaluates, and mitigates risks to the county, its employees, and the public, while managing liability, property, and workers' compensation claims. The Risk Manager supervises staff, develops and implements policies, conducts investigations, and ensures compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

1. Program Administration

• Direct, oversee, and perform planning, development, and administration of safety, risk, insurance, and claims programs.
• Review and evaluate insurance contracts and prepare related reports.
• Develop, recommend, and implement county-wide insurance and risk management programs based on best practices.
• Coordinate with the purchasing department to prepare competitive bid specifications for insurance coverage, safety training, and risk management services.
• Prepare departmental reports, budgets, policies, and procedures.
• Develop specifications and periodically request bids for insurance coverage.

2. Claims and Insurance Management

• Evaluate, develop, and implement risk management and safety programs to protect county assets, reduce liability exposure, ensure employee safety, control losses, and limit claims.
• Ensures compliance with all state and federal laws and county ordinances applicable to risk management and safety plans and programs.
• Develop and manage liability, property, casualty, and workers' compensation claims programs.
• Develop and maintain real property and vehicle inventories for insurance and premium purposes.
• Track and maintain accurate data, certificates of insurance, and valuations for risk management purposes.
• Review and analyze claims to determine cause and recommend corrective actions to reduce future risk.
• Identify and analyze risks and hazards affecting the county, employees, and the public.
• Evaluate loss history, research risk reduction strategies, and implement measures to minimize losses.
• Provide information and coordinate with claimants, representatives, adjusters, attorneys, insurance brokers, and insurance companies.
• Administer County's workers compensation program.
• Handle property and liability claims in consultation with the Legal Department regarding litigation and policy interpretation.

3. Safety and Investigations

• Conduct preliminary investigations of accidents involving county employees, vehicles, and liability claims.
• Meet with department heads and county legal staff to discuss litigation, safety and claims.
• Work with Facility department to identify risks, make suggestions for maintenance and repair.
• Provide advice related to risk and safety protocols to county management, department heads, supervisors and county employees.

4. Training and Staff Supervision

• Develop and oversee training materials and may deliver training to county employees.
• Direct, schedule, and oversee the work and performance of assigned staff.
• Participate in hiring, termination, counseling, or disciplinary actions as needed.
• Appraise staff performance and set goals.

5. Program Monitoring and Reporting

• Monitor risk management program outcomes and evaluate effectiveness.
• Prepare and present reports to management on claims, loss trends, insurance coverage, and program performance.
• Recommend operational, procedural, and policy improvements to enhance risk mitigation and cost efficiency.

Other duties as assigned. May work nights, weekends and holidays based on departmental need.

A. Education. Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Public Administration, Occupational Health, Risk Management, Insurance, Public Safety or a related field.

B. Experience. Five (5) years of experience in two or more of the following areas: workers compensation, claims management, property and liability insurance, risk and loss control, workplace safety and/or environmental health is required. Two (2) years of supervisory or lead experience is preferred.

C. Education/Experience substitution. In accordance with County Policy.

D. Licenses/Certifications. Valid driver's license. Must maintain a valid driver's license and an acceptable driving record in accordance with County policy. Certified Risk Manager (CRM), Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) required within one (1) year of hire.

E. Other (e.g., post-offer medical exam, polygraph, background check, driver's license record, etc.). Must pass pre-employment background check and driving record check.

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, and standards of risk management, insurance, claims, and loss prevention.
• Liability, property, casualty, and workers' compensation insurance programs and coverage types.
• State and federal laws, statutes, ordinances, regulations, and standards, including OSHA.
• County Safety and Procedural Guidelines and related policy manuals.
• Current issues, trends, and best practices in public sector risk management, safety, property, and liability.
• Principles and methods of public relations and effective communication with diverse stakeholders.
• County operations, departmental functions, and sources of information relevant to insurance and risk management.

Skill in:

• Operating computers and software applications for data management, reporting, and analysis.
• Developing and delivering effective training programs and presentations to employees and large groups.
• Handling sensitive and confidential information with diplomacy and discretion.
• Applying independent judgment to evaluate complex situations and determine appropriate actions.
• Drafting clear and professional documents using proper grammar, spelling, and format.
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with employees, supervisors, legal representatives, and external agencies.

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, and administer risk management, safety, and insurance programs.
• Analyze insurance policies, claims, and risk exposures to make recommendations and implement solutions.
• Investigate accidents and incidents, determine causes, and recommend corrective actions.
• Supervise staff, provide guidance, evaluate performance, and address deficiencies.
• Coordinate and communicate effectively with multiple departments, claimants, legal representatives, and insurance partners.
• Monitor program effectiveness, evaluate trends, and prepare reports to support management decision-making.
• Advocate for the county in coverage disputes, litigation, and risk management matters.
• Maintain accurate records, property inventory, certificates of insurance, and documentation for compliance and program management.
• Implement risk reduction strategies to minimize losses while ensuring compliance with state, federal, and county regulations.

Compensation Range $65,457.60 - $106,808.00

Doña Ana County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to abide by all federal and state laws prohibiting employment discrimination on the basis of a person's race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, disability, serious medical condition, genetic information, ancestry, spousal affiliation, gender identity, sexual orientation or any other unlawful criteria, except where a reasonable Bona Fide Occupational Qualification exists.

Doña Ana County will make reasonable accommodation(s) for the known physical or mental limitations of an applicant with a disability, upon request, unless the accommodation(s) would cause an undue hardship on the operation of the County. Please see for our Public Notice and to get the Testing/Interview Accommodation Request Form or call View phone number on click.appcast.io for assistance.